D&D (2024) What if you were in charge of reworking classes for 5.5?

[d24454_modern]

Lets admit it we know what subclass we are going for and set up their background from the start 99% of the time so why wait until 3rd level until you get to be who you are pretending to be for the first few sessions.

Alternatively, you can just start out at Level 3 anyways since backstories are often elaborate enough that you should’ve gained a level anyways.

 

[Parmandur]

Lets admit it we know what subclass we are going for and set up their background from the start 99% of the time so why wait until 3rd level until you get to be who you are pretending to be for the first few sessions.

Yeah, I've heard the designers admit that their initial "training Levels" idea didn't work out, and people were choosing their Subclass at Level 1. So fixing that would be nice, if they do anything so drastic. Maybe rename them "archetypes" instead of "Subclass"

 

[d24454_modern]

Yeah, I've heard the designers admit that their initial "training Levels" idea didn't work out, and people were choosing their Subclass at Level 1. So fixing that would be nice, if they do anything so drastic. Maybe rename them "archetypes" instead of "Subclass"

So, basically Pathfinder?

 

[Parmandur]

So, basically Pathfinder?

Um, no.

 

[Eltab]

I liked the Druid wildshape from 4e, where you changed your fluff but kept your stats. (I may be weird that way.) At higher levels you can add Fly or Swim or Desert Adaptation or Hold Breath to yourself. When every L3 druid from every corner of the world turns into Grizzly Bear as first choice, the mechanics are not working with the story.

Rangers should get bonuses from Favored Terrain and Favored Enemy, in combat and in exploration / travel. Hunters Mark should be a class feature, like the monster slayer's Ire is.

Sorcerer would get Spell Points, rechargeable per rest (half per short rest?). Each subclass should add themed spells - hhhhhhhhellllllo, Dragon Breath - and the base class lets you pick more. I would put Dragonblood and Elemental subclasses in the PHB.

 

[MichaelSomething]

Instead of mechanical changes in the PHB, I focus on the greatest factor in the game; the DM! I would have a chapter in the DMG on how to run/adjust the game with the presence/absence of the classes. Tips like how to encourage the Fighter to stunt, why you need anti magic zones, how to incoporate a Cleric's gods, etc.

 

[Minigiant]

Lets admit it we know what subclass we are going for and set up their background from the start 99% of the time so why wait until 3rd level until you get to be who you are pretending to be for the first few sessions.

How bout not play complex concepts at level 1?

Really the #1 thing I'd do is make ever class have 3 parts like the Warlock (Class Subclass Specialty) over the first 3 levels.

1. Level 1
   • Choose Race or Lineage
     • Choose Subrace
   • Choose Class
   • Determine Ability Scores
   • Choose Background or Feat
   • Choose Setting Specific Boon if Applicable
2. Level 2
   • Choose Subclass (ie Life, Light, Nature, etc)
3. Level 3
   • Choose Specialty (ie Healer, Inquisitor, Runepriest, or Warpriest,)
4. Level 4
   1. Choose Ability Score Increase or Feat

 

[Undrave]

Yeah, I've heard the designers admit that their initial "training Levels" idea didn't work out, and people were choosing their Subclass at Level 1.

What did they expect?! They playtested with people who would plan out every level of a 3.X character before bringing to the table. Did they REALLY expect people to not even look at the subclasses before playing and building their characters?? Talk about not knowing your audience...

Tips like how to encourage the Fighter to stunt, why you need anti magic zones,

Or maybe design a game where that stuff's not needed?

 

[Parmandur]

What did they expect?! They playtested with people who would plan out every level of a 3.X character before bringing to the table. Did they REALLY expect people to not even look at the subclasses before playing and building their characters?? Talk about not knowing your audience...

Or maybe design a game where that stuff's not needed?

Per Mearls, yes, they expected that people would think about it at Levek 2 or 3.

 

[Undrave]

Per Mearls, yes, they expected that people would think about it at Levek 2 or 3.

lolwut?

Oh yeah, I'll build my Bard and only choose my college at lv 3, so what if I want to go for the College of Valor and I didn't invest into my DEX or STR at all?